DTE

In addition to installing solar panels through the partnership between DTE Energy’s SolarCurrents program and Planet Blue, UM’s strategic initiative for sustainability, NCRC plans to co-generate electricity and useful heat with our DTE partner by utilizing a Gas Turbine Generator located in the Power House.

Co-generation happens when natural gas is burned to generate electricity via the Gas Turbine Generator, and heat from the exhaust is collected to create steam for heating via the Heat Recovery Steam Generator.

When describing Planet Blue, President Mary Sue Coleman said, “We’ve all been better educated about what’s possible.” Co-generation through NCRC’s partnership with DTE is an excellent example of what is possible. Co-generation will reduce CO₂ emissions by 9,400 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide (MT CO₂) per year. This is equivalent to:

1,971 average sized vehicle’s annual CO₂ emissions

1,407 average sized household’s annual CO₂ emissions

7,705 acres of trees being planted

By producing its own energy using natural gas, NCRC will have more reliable power generation during outages. In addition, the lower price of natural gas, compared to electricity, means that co-generating power to NCRC will result in an estimated savings of $500K per year.